Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
I often encourage Apple to steal certain features from Samsung’s smartphones, like its super-sharp Quad HD displays and wireless charging. One thing I didn’t want it to rip off is the Galaxy Note 7’s tendency to explode.
According to one unlucky Reddit user, whose brand new iPhone 7 is now a charred piece of aluminum and shattered glass, that’s exactly what just happened.
Next year’s iPhone won’t be another repackaged iPhone 6. According to one reliable analyst, fans can look forward to an overhauled design with a scratch-resistant glass casing, and stainless steel edges on high-end models.
Don’t you just hate getting bombarded with emails? Our inboxes can be filled with junk every day, and half the time, you might not know what’s spam and what’s worth reading. Now there’s a new tool from AOL called Alto Dashboard that can help.
Alto Dashboard, which is integrated into the do-it-all Alto mail client, intelligently scans, analyzes, and restructures your emails to present you with the most valuable content right away. It then makes that content actionable so you can deal with email faster.
Android Wear fans should avoid iPhone 7 for now. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
If you decided to pick up an Android Wear device instead of Apple Watch, you may have trouble using it with iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Those who have upgraded to one of Apple’s latest smartphones have found they just don’t play nicely with Google’s wearable platform, despite the fact that their predecessors have no trouble connecting after being upgraded to the same iOS 10 software.
Users can't wait to get their hands on iOS 10. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
iOS 10 now has a larger install base than iOS 9, just over two weeks after making its public debut. Apple’s latest software has now reached 48.16 percent of all devices, while iOS 9’s share has dropped to 47.79 percent.
Incognito mode inside the Google app. Photo: Google
Google today rolled out a big update for its official iOS app, adding the ability to activate incognito mode, support for YouTube playback within search results, and more. The release makes the Google app “more private, video-friendly and stable,” the company says.
iPhone 7's new iSight camera is better, but not the best. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The new iSight camera packed into iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is Apple’s best yet, according to tests carried out by the experts at DxOMark. It has been improved by a wider aperture, support for a wide color gamut, and faster autofocus.
But it’s not quite enough to beat the cameras found in Samsung’s latest Galaxy smartphones.
Google is launching a new YouTube Go app that will finally allow users to download videos for offline playback. You’ll be able to choose the quality of the video you save, and the app will tell you exactly how much storage space is required for each clip.
Some Galaxy Note 7 buyers don't want to go back. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Samsung’s mistake of shipping Galaxy Note 7 smartphones that have a tendency to explode could have boosted sales of the iPhone. According to a new survey, 26 percent of people who returned the hot handset are switching to Apple.
Google's next Pixel could be much more exciting. Photo: Google
Google is expected to announce to new Pixel phones that will step up Android’s fight against the iPhone next month — and its assault on Apple won’t stop there.
According to a new report, the company is also planning a Pixel laptop powered by a new “Andromeda” operating system that will do battle with the MacBook. It could also steal some of its features, including the pressure-sensitive trackpad.
The next time you take your broken iPhone to the Genius Bar, the repair could be carried out in China. Foxconn, one of Apple’s biggest manufacturing partners, was just granted approval to perform iPhone repairs at a second facility in Shanxi.
But some might say third-party alternatives — particularly those from Google — are still a step ahead, with greater features and more flexibility. So, is Apple doing enough to make Siri just as stellar as Google Now and the new Google Assistant?
Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight as we go head-to-head over virtual assistants.
How's the call quality on your iPhone 7? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Yes, lots of people still use their smartphone to make calls, and some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus owners are having a bad experience doing just that. Many report poor sound quality on both devices during calls, and it’s not yet clear if software or hardware is to blame.
WhatsApp could soon become even more secure. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
After protecting your private conversations with end-to-end encryption, it seems WhatsApp wants to give you even greater peace of mind by adding passcode protection to its app.
The feature was uncovered by a team of translators which helps convert WhatsApp into other languages.
Allo, the exciting new messaging platform from Google, landed on Android and iOS today — but you might want to think twice before you rush to download it. Every conversation you have with Allo will be logged by Google (unless you remember to go incognito).
The new McLaren P1. Will it be owned by Apple? Photo: McLaren
Apple is said to be in talks with British supercar manufacturer McLaren over a possible takeover. It’s thought Cupertino chiefs approached the firm, which is renowned for its Formula One racing team, several months ago and discussions are still ongoing.
A sight Apple won't be pleased to see. Photo: Luca Tedesco
The iPhone 7 has been on sale for less than a week and hackers have already been able to jailbreak it. Photos posted on Twitter show Cydia, the home of jailbreak apps and tweaks, installed on a device running iOS 10.0.1.
Get it while it's hot! Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Apple today released its big macOS 10.12 Sierra update, bringing Apple Pay for the web, Siri integration, an improved Messages app, and lots more. All compatible machines can now download the release from the Mac App Store.
Google is planning to replace its beloved Nexus smartphones with new devices that will fall into the Pixel brand. They’ll get their official unveiling on October 4, but new photos that have leaked out early suggest they look just like iPhone clones.
Don't be fooled by the iPhone 7's familiar design. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
Fans weren’t expecting much from this year’s iPhone upgrade. We wanted something big — something that could reverse falling demand for Apple’s biggest product lineup — but we feared we weren’t going to get it.
What we got was the iPhone 7. It looks just like iPhone 6s (and iPhone 6), but Apple promises it’s a different beast. It’s faster, more exciting, and more capable than its predecessors — and it comes in new colors.
I’ve been using iPhone 7 since it went on sale last week, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with my experience so far. It’s definitely not the massive disappointment some people anticipated, but is it worth the upgrade if you already have a recent model? Read Cult of Mac’s iPhone 7 review to find out.
At first glance, the iPhone 7 looks just like the iPhone 6s … and the iPhone 6. It feels the same in your hand, too. Unless you buy the jet black model, or you’re upgrading from a 4-inch iPhone, you’re not going to get any surprises when you pull this baby out of its box.
But there are some subtle changes you’ll appreciate. This is the iPhone you already know and love — only much, much better.
Don't let a few explosions put you off. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Forget what you’ve read about the Galaxy Note 7 exploding (and wiping out family cars, hotel rooms and homes). Samsung’s latest phablet delivers an improved design, faster internals, an iris scanner, the same great camera we got with the Galaxy S7 and an even better display.
When this baby goes on sale again, without that dreaded battery fault, it will be the best smartphone available — and the iPhone 7 (probably) won’t change a thing.
AirPods are nice, but they're far from perfect. Photo: Apple
We’ll have to wait until October to get our hands on Apple’s new wireless AirPods, but select reviewers have been granted early access to help us decide whether they’re worth their $159 price tag.
Here’s a roundup of the best reviews we’ve read so far.
Apple’s switch to ceramic for Apple Watch Edition could mean big things for iPhone 8. Being four times harder than stainless steel and a darn sight prettier, ceramic would be an ideal material for the next generation of iPhone unibodies.
Recent rumors have promised Apple will deliver a major redesign next year to celebrate the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, and what better way to do that than with a new material that’s better than anything Apple’s used before?
iOS 10 is coming. Are you ready? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
iOS 10 will finally roll out to all compatible devices on Tuesday, September 13, bringing awesome new features to Messages, revamped Music and Apple News apps, a redesigned lock screen interface, and more.
Before you upgrade your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, there are some steps you should take to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here’s how to prepare for an iOS 10 upgrade the right way.